Rare earth oxide coated phosphors and a process for preparing the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides surface coated phosphors useful in field emission displays and vacuum fluorescent displays. The surface coated phosphor comprises a thin coating of rare earth oxide, e.g., yttrium oxide, disposed on an uncoated phosphor such as a sulfide phosphor. The present invention further provides a process for preparing a surface coated phosphor comprising contacting the uncoated phosphor with a rare earth hydroxide gel solution to obtain a rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor, drying the gel coated phosphor to remove solvent residues, and heat treating the dried rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor. The surface coated phosphors of the present invention have improved cathodoluminescence efficiency, coulombic aging resistance, chemical, and/or oxidative stability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/134,502, filed Apr. 30, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/469,608, filed Dec. 22, 1999 now abandoned, thedisclosures of the '502 and '608 applications are incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to rare earth oxide coatedphosphors useful in field emission display devices and vacuumfluorescent display devices and a process for preparing the coatedphosphors, and particularly, to rare earth oxide coated sulfidephosphors having improved cathodoluminescence properties and a processfor preparing them.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The operating characteristics of field emission displays (FED) andvacuum fluorescent displays (VFD) place many demands uponcathodoluminescent phosphors. In particular, the lower operatingvoltages used in FEDs compared to cathode ray tubes (CRT) result insmaller penetration depths and reduced luminous efficiency andbrightness. This reduction in luminous efficiency can be compensated forby using higher drive currents or current densities and taking advantageof the longer pixel dwell time (e.g., 30 μs) used in FEDs.

However, the use of higher current densities accelerates coulombicaging, e.g., degradation by electron bombardment, as well as degradationof the phosphor by interactions with the residual atmosphere in thevacuum devices. The phosphor degradation can lead to poisoning of thefield emission cathodes. Further, since low voltages are employed,operation of the device becomes especially challenging in view of theresistance produced by contaminations such as the surface dead layer.The foregoing shows that there exists a need for low voltage phosphorshaving both high efficiency and chemical stability.

Furthermore, the phosphors undergo a baking process during themanufacture of VFDs and FEDs during which the surface of the phosphor isoxidized to some extent. The oxidation causes deterioration of thecrystallinity of the phosphor surface, and consequently, the oxidizedsurface decomposes or degrades during operation of the devices. Inaddition, certain phosphors, e.g., as sulfide phosphors, undergo anelectron stimulated decomposition which generates gases such as gasescontaining S, SO, and/or SO₂. These gases are harmful, and they canreduce the electron emission efficiency of the cathode. Thus, therefurther exists a need for phosphors, particularly sulfide phosphors,that have increased resistance to oxidative and/or electron stimulateddecomposition.

These and other advantages of the present invention, as well asadditional inventive features, will become apparent from the descriptionof the present invention provided herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Many of the foregoing needs have been fulfilled by the present inventionwhich provides a surface coated phosphor comprising a thin coating of arare earth oxide disposed on an uncoated phosphor. The present inventionfurther provides a process for preparing the coated phosphor comprisingcontacting the uncoated phosphor with a rare earth hydroxide gelsolution to obtain a rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor and heattreating the rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor.

While the invention has been described and disclosed below in connectionwith certain embodiments and procedures, it is not intended to limit theinvention to those specific embodiments. Rather it is intended to coverall such alternative embodiments and modifications as fall within thespirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 depicts the relative cathodoluminescence efficiency as a functionof aging time under a pulsed electron beam for an uncoated ZnS:Cuphosphor and the phosphor coated with Y₂O₃ in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a surface coated phosphor having one ormore advantages such as improved cathodoluminescence efficiency,improved aging resistance, oxidative stability, and chemical stability.The surface coated phosphor of the present invention find use in FEDsand VFDs. The surface coated phosphors of the present invention combinethe advantageous chemical and/or oxidative stability of rare earthoxides and the luminescent properties of the phosphors. The rare earthoxide coating protects the surface of the phosphor against chemical andoxidative degradation. The rare earth oxide coating also passivates thesurface of the phosphor, for example, prevents formation ofrecombination centers.

The rare earth oxides have large electron penetration depths, e.g., Y₂O₃has an estimated penetration depth of 12 nm under a 2 kV acceleratingvoltage. As the phosphors, particularly sulfide phosphors, also havelarge penetration depths, e.g., ZnS has a penetration depth of 35 nmunder a 2 kV accelerating voltage, the rare earth oxide coated phosphorsare attractive for use in FEDs and VFDs. The surface coated phosphors ofthe present invention do not easily degrade or release harmful gasessuch as S, SO, and/or SO₂.

The surface coated phosphor of the present invention comprises a thincoating of rare earth oxide disposed on an uncoated phosphor. Theuncoated phosphor can be any suitable phosphor, for example, a sulfideor an oxide phosphor. An example of a sulfide phosphor is a zinc sulfidebased phosphor such as ZnS:Cu; ZnS:Cu,Al; and (Zn,Cd)S:Ag,Al, orcombinations thereof.

The surface coating can be made of any suitable rare earth oxide, e.g.,an oxide of yttrium, scandium, of a lanthanide, or combinations thereof.Examples of rare earth oxides include Gd₂O₃, Yb₂O₃, and preferably Y₂O₃.

The uncoated phosphor can be of any suitable shape.

For example, the uncoated phosphor can be a powder having a particle ofsize of from about 0.01 μm to about 5 μm or larger. The coating of rareearth oxide can have any suitable thickness, typically greater than 1nm, preferably from about 10 nm to about 1000 nm, and in someembodiments greater than about 1000 nm.

The present invention provides a process for preparing a surface coatedphosphor comprising a thin coating of a rare earth oxide disposed on anuncoated phosphor, the process comprising contacting the uncoatedphosphor with a rare earth hydroxide gel solution to obtain a rare earthhydroxide gel coated phosphor, drying the rare earth hydroxide gelcoated phosphor to obtain a dried rare earth hydroxide gel coatedphosphor, and heat treating the dried rare earth hydroxide gel coatedphosphor. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides aprocess for preparing a surface coated phosphor comprising a thincoating of rare earth oxide disposed on an uncoated phosphor comprising:

(a) preparing a solution of a rare earth alkoxide in a medium comprisingan organic solvent and water;

(b) heating the solution from (a) to hydrolyze the rare earth alkoxideto obtain a solution containing rare earth hydroxide gel;

(c) contacting the uncoated phosphor with the solution obtained in (b)to obtain a gel coated phosphor;

(d) drying the gel coated phosphor; and

(e) heat treating or firing the dried phosphor obtained in (d).

The rare earth hydroxide solution can be prepared by any suitablemethod, for example, by dissolving a precursor of the rare earth oxidein a medium comprising an organic solvent followed by the addition ofwater to the solution. Alternatively, the precursor can be dissolved ina medium containing an organic solvent and water.

Any suitable precursor, for example, a rare earth compound, preferably arare earth organic compound which eventually provides a rare earthoxide, can be used. It is further preferred that any residue formed fromthe rare earth compound is easily removable, e.g., by evaporation oroxidation, from the rare earth oxide. A preferred organic compound israre earth alkoxide. Any suitable rare earth alkoxide can be used,preferably an alkoxide that provides high hydrolysis rates to form thehydroxide gel, for example, C₁-C₈ alkoxides, preferably C₁-C₄ alkoxides,and more preferably C₂-C₄ alkoxides. In certain embodiments of thepresent invention, an isopropoxide is used. Yttrium isopropoxide is anexample of a preferred precursor.

The dissolution medium can include any suitable solvent or mixture ofsolvents. For example a mixture of polar and nonpolar solvents can beemployed. Suitable nonpolar solvents include hydrocarbons, e.g.,aromatic hydrocarbons including toluene. Suitable polar solvents includealcohols, e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, or butanol, and ketones, e.g.,acetone and methyl ethyl ketone. The medium preferably includes amixture of toluene and an alcohol or ketone. Preferred solvent mixturesinclude toluene and a polar solvent such as isopropanol or acetone.

The solvent mixture can have any suitable proportion of nonpolar andpolar solvents. For example, the nonpolar solvent and the polar solventcan be present in a volume ratio of from about 20:80 to about 80:20,preferably from about 40:60 to about 60:40, and more preferably fromabout 45:55 to about 55:45. In accordance with certain embodiments ofthe present invention, the nonpolar solvent and the polar solvent can bepresent in a volume ratio of 50:50.

The precursor can be dissolved in the medium in an amount to provide thedesired rare earth oxide concentration. The concentration of theprecursor dissolved is typically greater than 0.1% by weight, e.g., fromabout 0.5% to about 5.0% by weight, preferably from about 0.5% to about2.0% by weight, and more preferably about 1.0% by weight of thesolution.

The rare earth metal present in the precursor solution is then treatedso that the metal is ionized and hydrated. This can be accomplished byhydrolyzing the precursor. Hydrolysis of the precursor can be carriedout by methods known to those skilled in the art, for example, bycontacting the precursor solution with water or an aqueous base. Forexample, water or a base can be added to the precursor solution andheated, preferably with vigorously stirring of the solution.

Examples of suitable bases include ammonia or ammonium hydroxide andurea. As urea releases ammonia when heated in aqueous medium, itprovides a convenient way of supplying ammonia to the solution. Theaddition of urea reduces the formation of momentary regions of high pHthat may be encountered in direct addition of a base. High pH conditionsare preferably avoided since they may cause homogeneous nucleation ofthe hydrated rare earth cation.

To carry out the hydrolysis reaction, water is preferably used in anamount that is in excess relative to the rare earth oxide. Thus, forexample, the molar ratio of water to the precursor can be greater thanabout 10:1, preferably greater than about 100:1, and more preferablyfrom about 100:1 to about 300:1.

The hydrolysis reaction can be accelerated by heating the precursorsolution. For example, the precursor solution can be heated at atemperature of from about 40° C. to about 100° C., and preferably fromabout 50° C. to about 80° C. In certain embodiments, the solution isheated at the solvent reflux temperature. Heating is carried out untilthe hydrolysis is substantially or preferably fully completed. As therate of hydrolysis increases with temperature, the heating period willdepend upon the temperature. The higher the temperature, the shorter theheating time. The solution can be heated for a period of greater thanabout 0.1 hour, e.g., for a period of from about 1 hour to about 72hours, preferably from about 10 hour to about 30 hours, and morepreferably for about 20 hours, at the above temperature ranges, andpreferably at 65° C.

The pH of the solution containing the rare earth hydroxide plays animportant role in the quality of the coating ultimately obtained.Particularly, it has been found that a heterogeneous nucleation of therare earth hydroxide is desirable to obtain a thin, smooth andcontinuous coating, and that such a nucleation can be achieved bykeeping the hydroxide solution, for example, at a pH of from about 4.0to about 10.0, preferably from about 6.0 to about 8.0 and morepreferably at about 7.5. At low pH conditions, e.g., below about 4.0,the hydrolysis rate of the alkoxide tends to be low. The coatingthickness also tends to diminish under these low pH conditions. Afterthe hydrolysis reaction is completed, the phosphor is contacted with therare earth hydroxide gel solution. The contacting can be carried out bystirring the phosphor particles into the solution. The gel coatedparticles are separated from the gel solution, e.g., by filtration ordecantation.

The gel coated phosphor particles are first dried to remove the adsorbedsolvents. For example, the particles can be dried at the ambienttemperature (22±3° C.) or at a moderately higher temperature. Thus, thedrying can be carried out at a temperature, e.g., at about 30° C. orhigher, such as from about 60° C. to about 150° C., and preferably at atemperature of from about 80° C. to about 120° C. The drying can becarried in a suitable atmosphere, e.g., in air, vacuum, or in thepresence of a gas such as an inert gas. The dried gel coated phosphorparticles are then heat treated or fired at a higher temperature. Thisheat treatment increases the bonding of the gel to the phosphorparticles. The temperature at which the heat treatment is carried outcan be about 200° C. or higher, e.g., from about 225° C. to about 500°C., preferably from about 250° C. to about 450° C., and more preferablyfrom about 300° C. to about 400° C.

The heat treatment can be carried out in a suitable atmosphere, e.g., inair, vacuum, or in the presence of a gas such as an inert gas. Heattreatment in an oxidizing atmosphere, e.g., in air is preferred sinceunder these conditions, any carbon residues are burned off. Inaccordance with certain embodiments of the present invention, at thehigher temperatures, e.g., about 300° C., the bonding between the geland particle increases. At higher temperatures, the gel undergoescertain physical or morphological changes such as densification and/orcrystallization of the gel into an oxide.

The surface coated phosphors of the present invention are free orsubstantially free of bridging or agglomeration between the particles.If desired, the coating can be further refined by suitablepost-treatment. For example, any crack in the coating can be healed orany broken bridge area can be rounded off by increasing the heattreatment temperature. Up to the termination of the of crystallizationrange, heat treatment causes the coatings to become more uniform.

The surface coated phosphors of the present invention have improvedcathodoluminescence (CL) efficiency relative to the uncoated phosphor.For example, the CL efficiency is higher than the uncoated phosphor upto about 10% or more at 1 kV. The surface coated phosphors of thepresent invention show improved stability to the intense electronbombardment as well as chemical and oxidative stability. The protectivecoating reduces the thickness of the surface dead layer.

The following illustrative examples further illustrate the presentinvention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limitingits scope.

EXAMPLE 1

This Example illustrates a method of preparing an yttrium oxide coatedphosphor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Yttrium isopropoxide was first dissolved in a 50:50 by volume mixture oftoluene/isopropanol solution. Water was then added with mixing to theisopropoxide solution to achieve a water-to-yttrium isopropoxide molarratio of 200:1. The resulting solution was refluxed at 65° C. for 20hours to completely hydrolyze the isopropoxide. The amount of yttriumisopropoxide was chosen so as to provide ultimately a Y₂O₃ coating of1.0% by weight of the phosphor. The pH of the solution was 7.5. ZnS:Cuphosphor particles were added to the solution, stirred, and the coatedphosphor particles were isolated and dried in air. The coated phosphorparticles were then fired in air at 400° C for 1 hour. The resultingcoated phosphor particles had a continuous, smooth, and uniformcoverage.

EXAMPLE 2

This Example illustrates an advantage of the coated phosphor inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The coated phosphor particles prepared as in Example 1 were tested forcathodoluminescence (CL) properties. Coated and uncoated phosphorscreens were made with a screen weight of 2 mg/m². As shown in FIG. 1,the Y₂O₃ coated phosphor exhibited an improved-aging behavior comparedto the uncoated phosphor. After 60,000 seconds of aging under a pulsedelectron beam, the coated phosphor has a CL efficiency of about 10%higher than the uncoated phosphor.

While this invention has been described with emphasis upon a preferredembodiment, it will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the artthat the described product or process may be varied. It is intended thatthe invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modificationsencompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for preparing a surface coated phosphorcomprising a thin coating of a rare earth oxide disposed on an uncoatedphosphor, the process comprising contacting said uncoated phosphor witha rare earth hydroxide gel solution to obtain a rare earth hydroxide gelcoated phosphor, drying said rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor toobtain a dried rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor, and heattreating said dried rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor.
 2. Theprocess of claim 1 wherein said rare earth hydroxide gel solution isprepared by dissolving a precursor of said rare earth oxide in a mediumcomprising an organic solvent to obtain a precursor solution, optionallyadding water to the precursor solution, and further optionally heatingthe precursor solution.
 3. The process of claim 2, wherein the precursoris a rare earth organic compound.
 4. The process of claim 3, wherein therare earth organic compound is a rare earth alkoxide.
 5. The process ofclaim 4, wherein said rare earth alkoxide is a rare earth isopropoxide.6. The process of claim 2, wherein said organic solvent is toluene. 7.The process of claim 1, wherein said heat treating of the dried rareearth hydroxide gel coated phosphor is carried out at a temperature offrom about 225° C. to about 500° C.
 8. The process of claim 1, whereinsaid uncoated phosphor is a sulfide or oxide phosphor.
 9. The process ofclaim 1, wherein said uncoated phosphor is a sulfide phosphor.
 10. Theprocess of claim 9, wherein said sulfide phosphor is a ZnS basedphosphor.
 11. The process of claim 10, wherein said ZnS based phosphoris ZnS:Cu.
 12. The process of claim 1, wherein said rare earth oxide isY₂O₃.
 13. The surface coated phosphor prepared by the process ofclaim
 1. 14. A process for preparing a surface coated phosphorcomprising a thin coating of rare earth oxide disposed on an uncoatedphosphor comprising: (a) preparing a solution of a rare earth alkoxidein a medium comprising an organic solvent and water; (b) heating thesolution from (a) to hydrolyze the rare earth alkoxide to obtain asolution containing rare earth hydroxide gel; (c) contacting theuncoated phosphor with the solution obtained in (b) to obtain a gelcoated phosphor; (d) drying the gel coated phosphor; and (e) heattreating the dried phosphor obtained in (d).
 15. The surface coatedphosphor prepared by the process of claim
 14. 16. A surface coatedphosphor comprising a continuous thin coating of a rare earth oxidedisposed on an uncoated phosphor prepared by a process comprisingcontacting said uncoated phosphor with a rare earth hydroxide gelsolution to obtain a rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor, dryingsaid rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor to obtain a dried rareearth hydroxide gel coated phosphor, and heat treating said dried rareearth hydroxide gel coated phosphor.
 17. The surface coated phosphor ofclaim 16, wherein said rare earth hydroxide gel solution is prepared bydissolving a precursor of said rare earth oxide in a medium comprisingan organic solvent to obtain a precursor solution, optionally addingwater to the precursor solution, and further optionally heating theprecursor solution.
 18. The surface coated phosphor of claim 16, whereinthe precursor is a rare earth organic compound.
 19. The surface coatedphosphor of claim 18, wherein the rare earth organic compound is a rareearth alkoxide.
 20. The surface coated phosphor of claim 19, whereinsaid rare earth alkoxide is a rare earth isopropoxide.
 21. The surfacecoated phosphor of claim 17, wherein said organic solvent is toluene.22. The surface coated phosphor of claim 16, wherein said heat treatingof the dried rare earth hydroxide gel coated phosphor is carried out ata temperature of from about 225° C. to about 500° C.
 23. The surfacecoated phosphor of claim 16, wherein said uncoated phosphor is a sulfideor oxide phosphor.
 24. The surface coated phosphor of claim 16, whereinsaid uncoated phosphor is a sulfide phosphor.
 25. The surface coatedphosphor of claim 24, wherein said sulfide phosphor is a ZnS basedphosphor.
 26. The surface coated phosphor of claim 25, wherein said ZnSbased phosphor is ZnS:Cu.
 27. The surface coated phosphor of claim 16,wherein said rare earth oxide is Y₂O₃.
 28. A surface coated phosphorcomprising a continuous thin coating of rare earth oxide disposed on anuncoated phosphor prepared by a process comprising: (a) preparing asolution of a rare earth alkoxide in a medium comprising an organicsolvent and water; (b) heating the solution from (a) to hydrolyze therare earth alkoxide to obtain a solution containing rare earth hydroxidegel; (c) contacting the uncoated phosphor with the solution obtained in(b) to obtain a gel coated phosphor; (d) drying the gel coated phosphor;and (e) heat treating the dried phosphor obtained in (d).